TimC
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 07:20 AM |
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Mercedes 190E 1.8 - any good?
Alas, the Nova sold on ebay so i'm now on the look-out for new wheels.
The new car needs to be large enough to pull my MNR on a trailer. I also want something a little interesting - although no requirement for speed.
A neighbour has a mate selling a 1.8 190E in Black with 130k on the clock but FSH. Does anyone have any experience of these. The 1.8 petrol
isn't exactly the pick of the bunch but at around £900 I think it looks ok.
Thoughts (And alternatives) welcome.
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ecosse
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 07:26 AM |
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The 190's are good cars, strong and built to last (especially with FSH), the 1.8 is not overly powerful though and may struggle a bit with your
trailer.
Cheers
Alex
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RazMan
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 07:33 AM |
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I was amazed how underpowered the 1.8 was - I actually thought I had left the handbrake on.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Humbug
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 07:39 AM |
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I had one as a company car a few years ago. Mine was the base model 1.8 manual - apparently the auto feels very underpowered; the manual was OK-ish,
but I imagine to a seven driver it would seem as slow as a slowed-down slow thing 
built like a tank though
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stevec
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 07:52 AM |
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Everyone I ever came across, the owner complained of lack of power and bad fuel economy,
Lets face it 1.8 ltrs pulling the equivilent of the General Belgrano around, it aint happening.
Steve.
[Edited on 29/5/07 by stevec]
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TimC
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 08:01 AM |
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Slow for me is good - I have too many points (was commuting 120k miles a year at one stage so picked up a few.) However, if it can't pull
900kgs then that's bad.
What else could I look at? Like I said, it needs to appeal beyond being just a mode of transport by being 'just' a bit interesting.
Sierra 2.9 V6 perhaps?
[Edited on 29/5/07 by TimC]
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RazMan
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 08:29 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by TimC
What else could I look at? Like I said, it needs to appeal beyond being just a mode of transport by being 'just' a bit interesting.
Sierra 2.9 V6 perhaps?
At least would have a good donor when you are finished with it
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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jambojeef
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 08:30 AM |
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hmm,
I had the 2.9 v6 (in a granny tho) and that was shockingly underpowered aswell!!
The 2.9 24v cossie was much much better - very good tow car and quite interesting to drive!
Get one of them - you could pick up a really nice one for that money - be prepared to feed it lots of petrol though...having said that, a mate has the
3.0 omega which im really impressed with. Much more modern than the cossie granny and much better on the fuel.
Geoff
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Memphis Twin
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 09:59 AM |
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If you use a lightweight single axle trailer, the 190 will be fine. I used to tow my hillclimb Leader and then Striker with an old Saab 900 carb. Not
that fast, but you're limited to 60mph anyway (apparently!).
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Peteff
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 10:20 AM |
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Get yourself a Transit, you'll be able to kip in the back and carry the camping stove round with you.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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robertst
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 11:41 AM |
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we had the 2.6 inline 6 and it flew! 195 bhp off the tap in a 1200kg car... not bad considering we now have a 1996 2.2 C class with 140bhp and it is
SLOWWWWWWW.
best of the 190 series is undoubtedly the 2.3-16v (pretty cheap nowadays) or if your lucky to find one, the 2.5-16v, both tuned by cosworth IIRC
Tom
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02GF74
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 01:01 PM |
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re: little interesting - although no requirement for speed.
has to be a Series Land Rover, if you choose wisely, you may get a tax exempt one.
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speedyxjs
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 01:53 PM |
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Ok, my answer for this one is either:
Buy a late (reliable) jaguar xj40 - Luxury, speed, should easily tow you car and a good one should cost around £1000
Or
Look on ebay and buy a transporter - Much more suitable for the job than any car but cost £2000+ for a good one
[Edited on 29-5-07 by speedyxjs]
How long can i resist the temptation to drop a V8 in?
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TimC
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| posted on 29/5/07 at 05:36 PM |
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Jag XJ - Good shout. Officially on the look-out!
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